29 Days in my A5, first Roadtrip down, Month-long Review, and a surprise :)
03-10-2008, 08:55 PM
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29 Days in my A5, first Roadtrip down, Month-long Review, and a surprise :)
Just got back today from my first roadtrip, i took the A5 from Dallas to Little Rock and Back over the weekend, and I want to give my own little personal unbised review of the car, since i've had it for a month.
I was really, REALLY torn between the 335i and the A5, and i don't regret for a SECOND the A5 (although i'm not a bimmer-basher, they are both great cars, but different pros and cons).
Nevertheless, my humble review, for what it's worth - picked up the car 2/10/2008 with 24 miles on it. here's a shot at 42mi.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/136158/month2.jpg">
First road trip - DFW-Little Rock <img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/136158/month4.jpg">
Exterior: Is simply amazing. this car gets stares, looks, whistles, people staring to try to figure out what the hell it is! Compared to the 335, is350, c-class, clk, anything you want to compare it to - this is a whole different world. One person asked me if it was a Bentley (clearly they didnt know cars, but it looks closer to a GT coupe than a 328 with 16's.
I was bummed at first about the non-opening sunroof, but i think the PANORAMIC sunroof is much cooler and much preferred over a smaller, opening sunroof. don't think twice about it.
I get compliments and definitely love the 19" wheels.
Interior: the interior is top-notch. The car is built very solid, and is still quite quiet at HIGH speeds (see below...). The instrumentation and materials are truly top-notch.
One drawback that i will call upon, is the non-sport seats (since i didnt get the S-line) are relatively uncomfortable in a 4-5 hour ride, and lack side bolstering i would prefer.
my old and new car together
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/136158/month3.jpg">"
MMI/Electronics: the technology and nav - ZERO regrets. first off, the advanced key is absolutely the BEST OPTION for the price in the car, very well worth it, and definitely recommended. i LOVE not having to take the key out of my pocket, or the G/F's purse, or having to have it rattling around the dash, if driving aggressively. i thought it would be useless, and i am SO glad i bought it.
The adaptive highlights are great; if you happen to be driving in the country, you will be amazed (check youtube for the A5/S5 video of adaptive headlights). In the city, not that useful, but i really like them.
The Navigation system is kinda cumbersome, but it is much better than the Nav in my G/F's CLK 350, and i dont know that much about iDrive so i can't contrast the two. it does re-route very well - better than most Nav's that i have used.
As for the rest of MMI, it works fairly well - it's not the easiest/simplest/most useful, but it's better than the Mercedes system. Also, not a big fan of the the limited functionality with steering wheel controls & secondary screen (instrumentation/trip computer) - i think trying to control anything through the small screen between the instrumentation is more dangerous and takes my eyes off the road much more than using the large MMI screen.
the dual-zone climate is great - works much better than my 2004 A4. the heated seats rock too
Oh - the back seats - are absolutely, positively USELESS. noone in their right mind can expect to have an adult (or any adolescent child) ride back there. but, i'm not a parent, so who cares. i dont tote friends around either!
Performance: when i first test-drove the A5 after only test-driving 335's and the S5 - i thought it was a little underpowered. However after getting used to it - yes it IS slower than the 335 (30 less horsepower and lighter/smaller), but it's PLENTY powerful. it's fast enough. it's hella fast. it's fast enough, unless you are trying to win against rice-rockets or street racers. otherwise, it's damn enough. and it's smooth. i prefer the 3.2 powerplant to the Turbo, personally, after having two turbo audis. the Quattro is very sticky, and i did some fairly aggressive driving, and the car just sticks to the road. it drives really well. and i have heard complaints on this board about the sound, but the engine and exhaust do Hum, not growl like the S5, but it's certainly not lexus-quiet
During the roadtrip, passed 1K miles <img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/136158/month5.jpg">
oh - i took the car to 130 (electronically-limited); this is the best picture i could get of the speedo:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/136158/month6.jpg">
any other questions - give me a message!
I was really, REALLY torn between the 335i and the A5, and i don't regret for a SECOND the A5 (although i'm not a bimmer-basher, they are both great cars, but different pros and cons).
Nevertheless, my humble review, for what it's worth - picked up the car 2/10/2008 with 24 miles on it. here's a shot at 42mi.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/136158/month2.jpg">
First road trip - DFW-Little Rock <img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/136158/month4.jpg">
Exterior: Is simply amazing. this car gets stares, looks, whistles, people staring to try to figure out what the hell it is! Compared to the 335, is350, c-class, clk, anything you want to compare it to - this is a whole different world. One person asked me if it was a Bentley (clearly they didnt know cars, but it looks closer to a GT coupe than a 328 with 16's.
I was bummed at first about the non-opening sunroof, but i think the PANORAMIC sunroof is much cooler and much preferred over a smaller, opening sunroof. don't think twice about it.
I get compliments and definitely love the 19" wheels.
Interior: the interior is top-notch. The car is built very solid, and is still quite quiet at HIGH speeds (see below...). The instrumentation and materials are truly top-notch.
One drawback that i will call upon, is the non-sport seats (since i didnt get the S-line) are relatively uncomfortable in a 4-5 hour ride, and lack side bolstering i would prefer.
my old and new car together
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/136158/month3.jpg">"
MMI/Electronics: the technology and nav - ZERO regrets. first off, the advanced key is absolutely the BEST OPTION for the price in the car, very well worth it, and definitely recommended. i LOVE not having to take the key out of my pocket, or the G/F's purse, or having to have it rattling around the dash, if driving aggressively. i thought it would be useless, and i am SO glad i bought it.
The adaptive highlights are great; if you happen to be driving in the country, you will be amazed (check youtube for the A5/S5 video of adaptive headlights). In the city, not that useful, but i really like them.
The Navigation system is kinda cumbersome, but it is much better than the Nav in my G/F's CLK 350, and i dont know that much about iDrive so i can't contrast the two. it does re-route very well - better than most Nav's that i have used.
As for the rest of MMI, it works fairly well - it's not the easiest/simplest/most useful, but it's better than the Mercedes system. Also, not a big fan of the the limited functionality with steering wheel controls & secondary screen (instrumentation/trip computer) - i think trying to control anything through the small screen between the instrumentation is more dangerous and takes my eyes off the road much more than using the large MMI screen.
the dual-zone climate is great - works much better than my 2004 A4. the heated seats rock too
Oh - the back seats - are absolutely, positively USELESS. noone in their right mind can expect to have an adult (or any adolescent child) ride back there. but, i'm not a parent, so who cares
. i dont tote friends around either!Performance: when i first test-drove the A5 after only test-driving 335's and the S5 - i thought it was a little underpowered. However after getting used to it - yes it IS slower than the 335 (30 less horsepower and lighter/smaller), but it's PLENTY powerful. it's fast enough. it's hella fast. it's fast enough, unless you are trying to win against rice-rockets or street racers. otherwise, it's damn enough. and it's smooth. i prefer the 3.2 powerplant to the Turbo, personally, after having two turbo audis. the Quattro is very sticky, and i did some fairly aggressive driving, and the car just sticks to the road. it drives really well. and i have heard complaints on this board about the sound, but the engine and exhaust do Hum, not growl like the S5, but it's certainly not lexus-quiet
During the roadtrip, passed 1K miles
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/136158/month5.jpg">oh - i took the car to 130 (electronically-limited); this is the best picture i could get of the speedo:
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/136158/month6.jpg">
any other questions - give me a message!
03-10-2008, 09:03 PM
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Re: 29 Days in my A5, first Roadtrip down, Month-long Review, and a surprise :)
Have a5 also no s-line might trade for s-line because those seats are not comfortable after driving 2 hours in nyc my back kill's me those s-line a5 come with sport's seats? and what pisses me off ive noticed just like in mine , no headlight washers, is it only available in bi xenons or s-line? thanks
03-10-2008, 09:05 PM
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Re: 29 Days in my A5, first Roadtrip down, Month-long Review, and a surprise :)
yeah, how does yours not have Xenons? you didnt ge tthe technology package?
i got all options except S-line. i wanted woodgrain hence so s-line.
the s-line comes with the sport seats.
i got all options except S-line. i wanted woodgrain hence so s-line.
the s-line comes with the sport seats.
03-10-2008, 09:29 PM
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What kind of milage have you been getting?
I sat in an A5 this weekend for the first time and loved it (my dealer never got a demo S5 and hasn't had one on the lot yet). The cabin felt very cockpit-esque...I loved it. From seeing the A5 in person and countless hours looking at S5 pictures, I know I'd like the seats and styling of the S5 more, but not sure I want to live with the efficiency...or lack thereof. Thinking if I'm going to get a gas guzzler, might as well get a C63 for the same price and have a usable backseat with a monster engine. Anyway, what kind of milage have you been getting on the A5?
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03-10-2008, 09:40 PM
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Re: 29 Days in my A5, first Roadtrip down, Month-long Review, and a surprise :)
I dont know. i thought they did have them, but i guess you're right. Do you really find yourself missing them so much? are you in the northeast?
03-10-2008, 09:44 PM
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Re: 29 Days in my A5, first Roadtrip down, Month-long Review, and a surprise :)
oh... one thing i forgot to mention:
i had a $5000 stereo in my 1995 trans am, consisting of MB quarts, a 12" woofer, and really expensive amp, and this B&O system is better. obviously not as much Bass, (although with rap, it HITS!), but it's really the best system i have ever heard. it's better than the system on a 760. we compared/contrasted today. and it's also better than the levinson in the new GS.
i had a $5000 stereo in my 1995 trans am, consisting of MB quarts, a 12" woofer, and really expensive amp, and this B&O system is better. obviously not as much Bass, (although with rap, it HITS!), but it's really the best system i have ever heard. it's better than the system on a 760. we compared/contrasted today. and it's also better than the levinson in the new GS.